Influence of Judo Womans Age on Selection and Performance in the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020

Abstract

Purpose: to analyse the results of the selection and performance of judo womans at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 depending on their age indicators. Material and methods. During the study of this direction of research the following methods were used: theoretical analysis and generalization of scientific and methodical literature, analysis of competition protocols of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, analysis of the world ranking of elite athletes according to the IJF. Linear regression analysis was used to represent the relative age as one of the indicators of measuring the success of elite judo womans. Results: The total number of female judo womans - 1444, in all weight categories, who participated in the selection for the TOG-2020 and 192 athletes who performed at the TOG-2020 were studied based on data from the official website of the International Judo Federation. After analysing the performances of 192 female athletes at the TOG-2020, it can be seen that the percentage of younger than average age judo womans was 59% (113 athletes), and older than average age judo womans - 41% (79 athletes). After a comparative analysis of the relatively younger average age of female athletes who passed the selection with those who passed it for the TOG-2020, it can be seen that the percentage of younger judo womans is only 9%, while the percentage of older judo womans relative to the average age of judo womans is 43%. This may be due to the fact that older relative to the average age female athletes can be much higher in the direction of cognitive development (decision-making, abstract thinking, creativity, acquisition of competitive experience and psychological factors) than younger relative to the average age female athletes, who mostly use this selection to gain competitive experience. Further analysis showed that younger female athletes who took part in the TOG-2020 are only 9% of all judo woman who passed the selection. While the number of older judo womans relative to the average age is 41% of all those who have been selected for the TOG-2020. Having a gap in age from 20 to 42 years, high-class female athletes who took part in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 have a peak age of 28-31 years. Conclusions. Thus, older judo womans should spend less time to win than younger athletes. Gaining with age the experience necessary to participate in high-ranking competitions, it is necessary to take into account that the functional capabilities of athletes decrease with age.